Baccarat Tie Bet Calculator: The Math Behind the 8:1 Trap

The tie bet in baccarat looks tempting with its 8:1 payout—but appearances deceive. Our free calculator reveals the massive house edge hiding behind that attractive number, showing why smart players avoid this wager.

What Is the Tie Bet in Baccarat?

The tie bet wagers that Player and Banker hands will end with the same point total. Standard casinos pay 8:1, though some offer 9:1. It seems attractive until you see the math.

Quick Answer: The tie bet has a 14.36% house edge at 8:1 payout—the worst bet on the baccarat table by far. Ties occur only 9.52% of the time. Compare this to Banker's 1.06% edge. Avoid the tie bet entirely.

How to Use Our Free Tie Bet Calculator

Use the Baccarat Tie Bet Calculator →

See exact probabilities and house edge for tie bets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select Payout: 8:1 or 9:1 (varies by casino)

2. Enter Bet Amount: How much you're wagering

3. View Probability: Chance of tie occurring

4. See House Edge: The casino's mathematical advantage

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Tie Payout	What ties pay	8:1
Bet Amount	Your wager	$25
Tie Probability	Chance of tie	9.52%
House Edge	Casino advantage	14.36%
Expected Loss	Per bet average	$3.59

Tie Bet Mathematics

Probability of a Tie

In an 8-deck shoe:

• Tie probability: 9.52%
• Non-tie probability: 90.48%

House Edge at 8:1

Expected Value = (Win Probability × Payout) - (Lose Probability × Bet)
EV = (0.0952 × 8) - (0.9048 × 1)
EV = 0.7616 - 0.9048
EV = -0.1432 = -14.32%

House edge: 14.32% (some calculations show 14.36% due to rounding)

House Edge at 9:1

EV = (0.0952 × 9) - (0.9048 × 1)
EV = 0.8568 - 0.9048
EV = -0.048 = -4.8%

9:1 payout cuts house edge significantly—but still worse than Banker or Player.

Comparing All Baccarat Bets

Bet	House Edge	Probability
Banker	1.06%	45.86%
Player	1.24%	44.62%
Tie (8:1)	14.36%	9.52%
Tie (9:1)	4.84%	9.52%

The tie bet is 13× worse than the Banker bet.

Why the Tie Bet Looks Attractive

The 8:1 Payout Illusion

Human psychology:

• 8:1 sounds like a big win
• $10 bet returns $80 + your bet
• Occasional wins feel exciting

The Reality

• You'll win only 9.52% of the time
• 9 losses of $10 = -$90
• 1 win of $10 = +$80
• Over 10 bets: Net -$10

That's a 10% loss rate on an oversimplified model—actual house edge is 14.36%.

Real-World Tie Bet Scenarios

Scenario 1: Session Simulation

Bankroll: $200 Bet: $10 per hand on tie Hands played: 50

Expected results:

• Ties (9.52%): ~5 times → +$400
• Losses (90.48%): ~45 times → -$450
• Net: -$50 (25% of bankroll)

Scenario 2: Long-Term Tie Betting

100 hours of baccarat

• ~80 hands per hour = 8,000 hands
• Tie bet: $25 per hand
• Total wagered: $200,000
• Expected loss: $200,000 × 14.36% = $28,720

Scenario 3: Banker Comparison

Same conditions with Banker bet:

• Total wagered: $200,000
• Expected loss: $200,000 × 1.06% = $2,120

Tie bet costs $26,600 more over same volume.

The "Due for a Tie" Fallacy

Gambler's Fallacy

Some players think:

• "No ties in 20 hands—one's due"
• "Ties come in streaks—wait for one then bet"

The Reality

Each hand is independent:

• Past results don't affect future
• Tie is 9.52% every single hand
• No pattern predicts ties

When People Bet Tie Anyway

Entertainment Value

Some players accept the high house edge:

• Occasional big payouts feel good
• Small tie bets add excitement
• Treat it as entertainment cost

Scoring Systems

Some pattern-tracking players bet ties:

• After certain sequences
• Based on scorecard analysis

These systems don't work. Each hand is independent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tie bet ever worth it?

Mathematically, no. At 14.36% house edge, it's never a good wager. For pure entertainment with money you can lose, it's your choice.

What about 9:1 tie payouts?

Better at 4.84% house edge, but still worse than Banker (1.06%) or Player (1.24%).

Can I predict when ties will happen?

No. Baccarat hands are independent events. Patterns in scorecards are coincidental, not predictive.

Why do casinos offer tie bets?

Profit. The 14.36% house edge is extremely lucrative for casinos. Players like the big payout potential.

Should I ever bet tie with a bankroll strategy?

No betting system overcomes the house edge. All tie betting strategies lose long-term.

What's the worst bet in baccarat?

The tie bet at standard 8:1 payout. Some side bets may be worse, but tie is the worst main bet.

Side-by-Side Payout Analysis

Bet Comparison per $100 Wagered

Bet	House Edge	Expected Loss
Banker	1.06%	$1.06
Player	1.24%	$1.24
Tie (8:1)	14.36%	$14.36

Over $10,000 wagered:

• Banker loses: $106
• Tie loses: $1,436

Tie costs 13× more.

Break-Even Analysis

What tie payout would be fair?

Fair payout = (1 / Tie Probability) - 1
Fair payout = (1 / 0.0952) - 1
Fair payout = 10.5 - 1 = 9.5:1

At 9.5:1, tie bet would be break-even. Casinos pay 8:1 or 9:1—always below fair.

The "Push on Tie" Alternative

What Happens When You Don't Bet Tie

If you bet Banker or Player and a tie occurs:

• Your bet pushes (returned)
• No win, no loss
• Try again next hand

This is why Banker/Player house edge doesn't account for ties directly.

Pro Tips for Baccarat Players

• Never bet tie: 14.36% house edge is devastating

• Stick to Banker: 1.06% is the best bet on the table

• Player is acceptable: 1.24% is still very low

• Ignore scorecards: Past patterns don't predict future

• 9:1 tables are better: If you must bet tie, find 9:1 payout

Mathematical Edge Comparison

Per-Hour Cost at $25/Bet

Assuming 80 hands/hour:

Bet	Hourly Cost
Banker	$21.20
Player	$24.80
Tie (8:1)	$287.20

Tie betting costs 13× more per hour.

Related Baccarat Calculators

• Baccarat Banker Bet Calculator - Best bet analysis
• Baccarat Player Bet Calculator - Player bet odds
• Baccarat House Edge Calculator - Compare all bets
• Baccarat Odds Calculator - Probability breakdown
• Baccarat Strategy Calculator - Optimal play

Conclusion

The tie bet in baccarat is one of the worst wagers in any casino. Despite the attractive 8:1 payout, the 14.36% house edge decimates bankrolls over time. Our calculator shows the math clearly—stick to Banker or Player bets and let the tie be someone else's expensive mistake.

Calculate Tie Bet House Edge Now →

The numbers don't lie. At 14.36% house edge, every $100 wagered on ties costs you $14.36 on average. Choose the Banker bet at 1.06% instead, and your bankroll will thank you.